The International Cooperation Administration agreed today to allocate $50,000 to the American ORT Federation toward the establishment of an extensive vocational school program among immigrant youth in Israel. Announcement of the signing of the agreement was made by Dr. William Haber, American ORT Federation president.
The government funds would be used to purchase tools and machines to equip five trade schools which are to be organized by the ORT organization in Israel, Dr. Haber stated. This will be the first step toward creating a network of ten such special schools with an eventual capacity of 1,000 students annually. ORT is the principal agency providing vocational training to Jews overseas, maintaining over 300 schools and works hope in nine-teen countries.
Under the agreement with the International Cooperation Administration, the full amount of $50,000 will go for equipment of the new training centers. The U.S. mission in Israel will also lend its technical personnel and aid wherever needed. Buildings and funds for operation of the five additional schools are to be obtained by ORT from the Israel Government, local municipalities and community sources.
Dr. Haber expressed the gratitude of ORT to the U.S. Government for providing the basic funds to stimulate creation of the special schools. He welcomed the grant as establishing a significant precedent for the utilization by the U.S. Government of the “know-how” of voluntary agencies in its overseas technical aid programs. ORT now maintains 34 trade schools in 17 cities and towns of Israel with an annual enrollment of 4,300.
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